Summary:
All you need to know about phosphoric acid food grade
What is phosphoric acid food grade?
Application of phosphoric acid food grade
Types of phosphoric acid food grade
Phosphoric acid food grade is one of two kinds of chemical additives used in many different industries worldwide. Phosphoric acid is a highly corrosive compound that is odorless and colorless. It has a number of uses in the manufacturing of a wide variety of products. One of the most common is for making food products such as beverages.
Phosphoric acid is produced in two specific forms, food grade, and industrial grade. In it’s industrial form, it is commonly used to make fertilizer. There are a number of other industries that use it, such as the textile industry. This article will focus on the food-grade form of phosphoric acid and what is used for.
What is phosphoric acid food grade?
Phosphoric acid food grade is an odorless and clear liquid compound. It is made and sold in liquid form by processing powdered phosphoric acid and purifying it to remove all contaminants. When put into foods such as beverages and jams, it gives produces a slightly tangy or sour taste. Food producers use it to create signature flavors when combined with several other ingredients.
Application of phosphoric acid food grade
Phosphoric Acid food grade has many uses in food production. Since it is a weak acid it can easily be incorporated into a number of foods and beverages thanks to it’s sour taste. As a liquid, it is colorless and odorless, and as a solid, it comes in a crystalline form that can easily be incorporated into a wide range of products.
Below are five of the most common applications of phosphoric acid used by food and beverage companies.
Food quality enhancer – Phosphoric acid is often added to a number of different types of food to improve it’s overall quality. It is used to lower the pH level of the food preparation. This tends to increase its shelf life by reducing the growth of mold and bacteria. When added to certain types of processed meats like luncheon meat it will act as a stabilizer. This helps to improve the texture of the lunch meat.
Food additive – Many of the most common ingredients in foods and beverages are derivatives of phosphoric acid. These are just a small fraction of the more common ingredients found in a wide range of prepared foods and beverages.
- Hexametaphosphate
- tricalcium phosphate
- dicalcium phosphate
- sodium phosphate
Nutrient – Phosphoric acid is added to certain types of foods that use yeast. The phosphoric acid acts as a food source for the yeast, it helps to encourage the exponential growth of the yeast. In its powder form, it is combined with several other ingredients such as baking powder and baking soda in a number of baked goods. It is also used to retard the growth of bacteria in fermented beverages such as wine.
Flavor enhancement – Phosphoric acid tends to have a hint of fruit and tanginess when added to certain foods and beverages. Beverage makers will include phosphoric acid in many of their dark-colored products such as cola. Jelly and jam makers will use phosphoric acid in their preparations due to it’s tangy and fruity flavors tend to enhance the flavor.
Modifier of protein – Phosphoric acid salts (a crystalline form of phosphoric acid) is used in the production of certain dairy products, especially cheese. It is used to modify the protein structure of the milk which enhances coagulation. This is key to producing cheeses such as cream cheese, buttermilk, and hard cheeses. The dairy industry has tried a number of acids before settling on phosphoric acid since it really excels at firming cheese. Its ability to lower pH and enhance the flavor at the same time makes it the perfect acid for many foods and beverages.
Types of phosphoric acid food grade
Phosphoric acid comes in three distinct types; pyrophosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid, and metaphosphoric acid. Each of the three types of phosphoric acids is used in the manufacturing of different products. Orthophosphoric acids in both salts form and liquid forms are used in making foods and beverages.
Each of the types of phosphoric acid is water soluble and is diluted to different levels depending on the type of food and beverages that they are being used in.
85% solution – Phosphoric Acid 85 is typically used in the production of foods and beverages as a way of reducing and stabilizing pH levels. These products include dairy, fats, and shortenings, as well as in beverages like colas. It is diluted with 15% water by volume.
75% solution – Phosphoric Acid 75 is a weak acid that is diluted with 25% water and is used in manufacturing foods and beverages. It works to lower and stabilize pH levels and also helps to deter the growth of fungi and bacteria. It is commonly used in the making of jams, processed meats, and cereal bars. It adds a tangy flavor that is commonly associated with a number of different acids.
25% solution – Acidity is very important when it comes to making wine. A Phosphoric acid that is diluted to 25% is commonly used to help lower the pH level of wine as it is being fermented. Another purpose of using phosphoric acid is that it helps stop the growth of bacteria and fungi. Since the fermentation process of winemaking is long, being able to control its growth as it is fermenting.
10% solution – The lowest solution of Phosphoric acid is commonly used in the making of beer. It is extremely important that the pH level of the mash is used to create homebrewed beer. The Phosphoric acid food grade 10 is a liquid form of acid that has been diluted with water down to 10%. The acid helps to lower the pH level in the mash down to 5.2 to 5.6 Ph which is considered optimal.
